Kazakhstan came from behind to defeat Sweden while Great Britain defeated France in group stage matches of the Davis Cup Finals on Saturday.
In Group B to which Canada belongs, Sweden was only one victory away from qualifying for the quarter-finals after Elias Ymer, 6-3, 7-6 (4) over Mikhail Kukushkin in the first singles match of the day in Madrid.
However, Mikael Ymer, Elias’ younger brother, lost in three sets to Alexander Bublik. The latter erased a deficit from one set to zero to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-0.
Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov completed the comeback by winning the doubles match, 6-3, 6-3 against a tandem of Andre Goransson and Robert Lindstedt.
PHOTO BERNAT ARMANGUE, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov
Kazakhstan could earn a sixth appearance in the quarter-finals if they defeat Canada on Sunday.
The Canadian delegation is in a precarious situation after losing its three matches against Sweden on Thursday. To hope to finish second in Group B, Canada will need to win all three of its games against Kazakhstan on Sunday.
Canada is participating in the tournament in the absence of its two best players, Montrealer Félix Auger-Aliassime and Ontarian Denis Shapovalov, who have chosen to bypass this competition after long seasons on the ATP circuit.
For their part, Great Britain defeated France 2-1 after winning both singles matches in Innsbruck.
Daniel Evans first defeated Adrian Mannarino 7-5, 6-4. Cameron Norrie followed by taking the measure of Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 7-6 (8).
Rinderknech and Nicolas Mahut saved France the affront of a sweep after winning the doubles match 6-1, 6-4 against Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski.
Great Britain and France both have one point in the Group C standings. On Sunday, the British face the Czech Republic, beaten by France on Friday.